A toxic algal bloom has hit the east coast of Tasmania, with the state government in the past few weeks banning the recreational and commercial fishing and harvesting of mussels, oysters, clams and scallops indefinitely which will seriously affect the industry and the Tasmanian economy.

The ban has just been extended to recreational and commercial fishing of abalone and lobsters. Fortunately the Tasmanian food icon, scallop pie, is thus far unaffected and Michael Mackenzie travelled to Tassie to taste test one personally.